Best Photo Enhancer Online with Hands-On Reviews for 2025
In today's digital world, photos play a big role in how we connect and share stories. Whether for social media, professional use, or personal memories, we all want our images to look their best. But sometimes, photos don't turn out as sharp or vibrant as we'd like. That's where AI photo enhancer tools come in.
Among the many tools, online photo enhancers are undoubtedly the most convenient options to enhance image quality with their cross-platform compatibility and no need for high-end hardware.
In this article, we'll explore the best photo enhancer online. We'll compare their features, test results, and real-world performance to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
💡 Concerned about the privacy and security of online photo enhancers? Want better upscaling quality and batch processing capabilities? Try an offline AI image enhancer.
Aiarty Image Enhancer provides a more secure and less restrictive local AI image enhancement solution.
- It supports a wide range of upscaling options, with the ability to reach an impressive output resolution of up to 32K. This level of upscaling is unmatched by most online image upscalers.
- It supports batch processing to enhance thousands of images at unparalleled speed.
- With four specifically trained models, you can get the best results for almost all types of images.
- The face restoration model adds even more value for old portraits or family photos.
Why Trust Us for Choosing the Best Photo Enhancer Online
Choosing the best photo enhancer involves considering several important factors, including ease of use, AI-powered features, cost, and output quality.
To evaluate the performance of each tool, we've tested five different types of images: low-resolution portrait photography, wildlife photos, old building photography, anime images, and AI-generated pictures. These diverse image types allow us to see how each enhancer handles different kinds of photos. But for the convenience of display, all the enhanced images are compressed to the original size with the same parameters.
All the tests are conducted on a Windows 10 PC with an Intel Core i7-13700K processor (24 CPUs, ~3.4GHz), 32GB of RAM, and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 graphics card.
Best Photo Enhancer Online
We've tested around a dozen of online photo enhancers with different types of images, to give you a well-rounded view of their capabilities. But covering all of them is not the goal of this blog, so I listed the best ones overall. Each AI image enhancer is evaluated based on ease of use, features, cost, and the quality of the final output.
And we've excluded apps like Fotor, Canva, or Remini, which require users to create an account or even provide a payment method to access their free trial. This list only includes tools that allow users to test their photo-enhancing capabilities without such commitments.
1. Picsart
Website: https://picsart.com/ai-image-enhancer/
Speed: ~12 seconds for upscaling 1 test image
Pricing: Pro account starts from $13/month
Picsart is a widely recognized online photo editor. While the platform is popular for its overall editing capabilities, its AI image enhancer focuses primarily on upscaling images to enhance detail and clarity.
For this test, I uploaded an image of a red panda to see how well Picsart handled the upscaling process. The tool's default option for upscaling is 2x, and there are no other available upscaling levels unless you subscribe to the Pro version. The tool processed the image in just 12 seconds, which is fairly quick for a single image. The result was in JPG format, with no other options available for file types, and the output was free from any watermark.
The upscaled image retains the sharpness, detail, and texture of the original, with the fur on the red panda and the leaves still appearing crisp and well-defined. The bokeh remains smooth and natural. Overall, the enhancement improves the image without sacrificing its original charm or clarity.
Unfortunately, there's no option for batch processing, so each image must be upscaled individually. This could be time-consuming for users with multiple photos to enhance. Users looking for greater resolution will need to upgrade to the Pro account for the 4x upscaling option, which starts at $13/month.
- User-friendly interface, suitable for beginners and casual users
- Quick processing time (12 seconds for one image in my test)
- Free version with no watermark, making it a great option for basic use
- Affordable Pro option for users who need 4x upscaling
- Limited to 2x upscaling for free users; higher 4x upscaling requires a Pro subscription
- Outputs only in JPG format, which may not be ideal for professional users needing other file types
- No batch processing available; each image must be enhanced individually
- The 2x upscaling option may not be sufficient for users needing high-quality results for large prints or detailed work.
Best for: Picsart is best suited for users who need a fast, simple, and straightforward tool for enhancing their photos without any complex settings. However, for users looking for higher resolution enhancements or batch processing, this tool may fall short unless they opt for the Pro version.
2. Cutout.pro
Website: https://www.cutout.pro/photo-enhancer-sharpener-upscaler
Speed: ~6 seconds for upscaling 1 test image
Pricing: Paid plan starts from $5/month
Cutout.pro is an online photo enhancer that offers a suite of AI tools for image enhancement, including upscaling and sharpening. The service allows users to enhance images with minimal effort, and it supports JPG and PNG file formats for output.
I used the same image and applied the 2x upscaling feature offered by Cutout.pro. The process was quick, taking only 6 seconds to enhance the image. As with many other online photo enhancers, there is no batch processing available. The output was clean, with no watermark, even on the free version of the service.
When viewing the second upscaled image, the difference from the original is barely noticeable. The image still maintains the sharpness and fine details, such as the texture of the red panda's fur and the individual bamboo leaves. And the colors are consistent. Overall, the upscaling has enhanced the resolution with no obvious loss in quality.
- Fast processing time (6 seconds for one image)
- No watermark on output, even for free users
- Offers the flexibility to download images in either JPG or PNG
- Affordable pricing starting from $5 per month
- User-friendly interface, ideal for quick and easy enhancements
- Limited to 2x upscaling; no option for higher resolutions
- No batch processing, so users must enhance each image individually
- The results, while good, may not be sufficient for users requiring more detailed or professional-level enhancements.
- The paid plan is required for access to additional features, which could be a downside for users looking for a free option.
Best for: Cutout.pro is best for users who need a fast, simple, and affordable tool for basic photo enhancements. Its flexibility with output formats (JPG or PNG) makes it a good option for casual users, but professional photographers or designers looking for more advanced features or higher-resolution upscaling may find it limiting.
3. Pica AI
Website: https://www.pica-ai.com/photo-enhancer/
Speed: ~20 seconds for upscaling 1 test image
Pricing: Paid plan starts from $9.99/month
Pica AI is a robust online photo enhancement tool with AI image upscaler. Pica AI offers users the ability to upscale images by 4x, making it a suitable choice for those who need better resolution for prints or high-quality digital content. However, it comes with some limitations regarding output format, speed, and batch processing.
In my test, Pica AI took approximately 20 seconds to upscale the same image, which is on the slower side. The output was in PNG format, with no other options available for file types. And there was the watermark on the enhanced image for users on the free trial.
As you can see, the red panda's fur, the bamboo leaves, and the smooth background bokeh are all clearly visible. However, there may be slight softness in the finer textures compared to the original. You might notice minor changes in the image's overall crispness—particularly in areas with intricate details.
- 4x upscaling offers better resolution for more detailed images
- Simple and easy-to-use interface, suitable for beginners
- Ideal for those needing to upscale images for high-quality digital content
- Outputs only in PNG format, with no flexibility for other file types
- A watermark is added to the enhanced image.
- The processing time (20 seconds) is slower compared to other tools
- No batch processing
- Results, while improved, may not meet the expectations of users needing professional-grade enhancement.
Best for: Pica AI is best for users who need to upscale a single image to 4x resolution quickly and are comfortable with the watermark on the output. It may not be ideal for professionals or those needing batch processing and watermark-free images.
4. Icons8 Smart Upscaler
Website: https://icons8.com/upscaler
Speed: ~7 seconds for upscaling 1 test image
Pricing: Paid plan starts from $9/month
Icons8 Smart Upscaler is one of the best AI photo enhancers online. It supports various input formats, including JPG, PNG, and WebP. And it offers batch processing for up to 500 images with a maximum file size of 5MB each, making it a great option for anyone with larger photo libraries or bulk image needs.
I selected the same default 2x upscaling option as in the other tests. But there's a 4x upscaling option with a paid plan. The process was quick, taking just 7 seconds for one image. However, a watermark was applied to the output. The enhanced image was saved in JPG format, with no option to choose other formats.
Putting aside the watermarks all over the image, the difference from the original is quite subtle. The overall vibrancy of the colors, especially the rich reds and the lush greenery, is preserved. However, there is a slight reduction in fine details, particularly in areas with intricate textures, which could be due to some smoothing during the upscaling process. That makes it lack the same crispness in very fine areas when compared to the original.
- Fast processing time of 7 seconds per image
- Batch processing support for up to 500 images, making it ideal for bulk edits
- Supports multiple input formats, including JPG, PNG, and WebP
- Affordable paid plan that removes watermarks and allows upscaling to 4x.
- Suitable for casual users who need quick and efficient upscaling
- The free version includes a watermark on the output image, which may not be acceptable for final-use.
- Limited to JPG output format with no other options for file types
- Results from the 2x upscaling can be a bit soft, with minimal improvement compared to higher-end enhancers.
- No option for higher-quality free upscaling, as 4x upscaling requires a paid plan
Best for: Icons8 Smart Upscaler is best for users who need a fast, easy-to-use tool for batch processing multiple images. However, the watermark and 2x upscaling limit may be a downside for professionals or those requiring higher quality or batch processing without watermarks.
5. LetsEnhance
Website: https://letsenhance.io/
Speed: ~22 seconds for upscaling 1 test image
Pricing: Paid plan starts from $9/month when billed annually
LetsEnhance is a versatile AI-powered photo enhancer online designed to improve image resolution with flexibility and ease. It offers multiple upscaling options, ranging from 1x to 4x for free users, with the ability to upscale images up to an impressive 16x with a paid plan. Along with upscaling, LetsEnhance offers additional features like tone enhancement, color enhancement, and light enhancement, making it a powerful tool for photo improvement beyond just resolution. Batch processing is supported, allowing users to upscale multiple images simultaneously.
For this test, I selected the 2x upscaling option, which is available for free users. The tool processed the image in about 22 seconds, a bit slower compared to other tools. The additional features like tone and color enhancement helped make the photo look more vibrant, adding value to the overall enhancement.
In the enhanced photo, you can still recognize the overall structure and clarity of the original, but there are some noticeable differences. Fine textures, such as the intricate fur patterns and smaller elements of the blur background, may appear less sharp. It's often seen in images where upscaling algorithms apply smoothing to avoid pixelation but can result in a slight loss of detail in more complex areas.
- Multiple upscaling options (1x, 2x, and 4x for free, up to 16x for paid)
- Batch processing support for efficient handling of multiple images
- Ability to choose between JPG and PNG output formats
- Additional enhancement models (tone, color, light) that add value to the final output
- Free version available, with a reasonably priced paid plan starting at $9/month
- Free version is limited to 4x upscaling, and 16x requires a paid plan.
- The 2x upscaling was good, but higher-quality upscaling is only available with the paid version.
- Processing time (22 seconds) is slower compared to some other tools.
- Free plan has some limitations on input file size and resolution.
Best for: LetsEnhance is best for users who need a flexible and feature-rich photo enhancement tool that offers multiple upscaling options, batch processing, and additional image adjustments. It is great for photographers, digital content creators, or anyone who wants to enhance their images beyond just resolution, especially those willing to explore premium features with the paid plan.
Bonus: Best Desktop Photo Enhancer Offline
Website: https://www.aiarty.com/ai-image-enhancer/
Speed: ~2 seconds for upscaling 1 test image
Pricing: Standard License $75/year, Lifetime License for $99
While online tools are convenient, they often come with limitations. For example, restricted resolution, file format choices, or processing speeds. In this case, offline AI image enhancers are good options without worrying about privacy and security.
Aiarty Image Enhancer provides a wide range of upscaling options, including 1x, 2x, 4x, and even 8x upscaling, with the ability to reach an impressive output resolution of up to 32K. This level of upscaling is unmatched by most online tools. It supports batch processing with a paid license, allowing you to enhance thousands of images at unparalleled speed. The program offers four models trained for different types of images, so you can get the best results. The face restoration model adds even more value for old portraits or family photos.
We did the same test with Aiarty Image Enhancer. It took only 2 seconds to upscale the same test image, which is much faster than the best photo enhancer online. You can also choose to export images in either JPG or PNG format and adjust the DPI to suit your needs.
As you can see, the overall quality remains very high, with the red panda and the bamboo leaves appearing clear and well-defined. The upscaled image does a good job of maintaining the vibrancy and color balance of the original.
Aiarty Image Enhancer is perfect for users who need an advanced, offline solution with extensive customization, batch processing, and professional-level results. If you're serious about photo enhancement and prefer not to rely on online tools, Aiarty offers everything you need for detailed and high-resolution upscaling.
Expert Tips for Enhancing Photos
Enhancing photos are not just about upscaling the image or applying a quick filter. To get the best results, there are several techniques and strategies you can use to make the most of the best photo enhancer online available.
- Start with the Right Resolution: Consider the original resolution of the photo. If you are working with a low-resolution image, upscaling it too much can lead to pixelation or blurriness.
- Use AI Models for Specific Enhancements: Many photo enhancers offer multiple AI models for different types of enhancements, so you can use the one that best suits your photo.
- Avoid Over-Sharpening: While sharpening can help make your photo crisper, too much can introduce noise and artifacts. It's always better to do a small enhancement rather than going too far and losing the natural quality.
- Review Results and Make Fine Adjustments: Take a moment to review the results. Zoom in to check the sharpness and make sure no unwanted artifacts are present. Don't rush the process—small tweaks can make a big difference in the final result.
Conclusion
That's all of this article. Choosing the best photo enhancer online depends on your needs—whether it's speed, resolution, or the ability to process multiple images at once.
However, while online photo enhancers are convenient, they often come with limitations, such as restricted upscaling options, file format choices, and batch processing. For those seeking more control, flexibility, and higher-quality results, offline AI photo enhancers like Aiarty Image Enhancer offer significant advantages. With its ability to upscale images up to 32K, advanced AI models, and features like face restoration, Aiarty delivers professional-grade results right on your desktop, a fantastic choice to elevate your photos to the next level.
Download Aiarty Image Enhancer for a more secure and less restrictive local AI image enhancement solution.
This post was written by Brenda Peng who is a seasoned editor at Digiarty Software who loves turning ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. With AI assistance from DeepSeek for brainstorming and drafting, the post is reviewed for accuracy by our expert Abby Poole for her expertise in this field.
